Eighty-three migrants on UK-bound small boats are rescued in Channel

Eighty-three migrants on two UK-bound small boats are rescued in the Channel by French coastguard and taken to Calais

• French coastguard said several small boats tried to cross the Channel
• 54 people had been rescued from one boat and 29 from another, they said
• Comes as dozens of migrants crossed the English Channel on Sunday

Eighty-three migrants on two UK-bound small boats have been rescued in the Channel.

The French coastguard said several small boats tried to cross the Channel on Sunday, with two getting into difficulty off the coast of Gravelines.

The number of migrants who have made the journey in the first month of this year has now risen above 1,000 – with dozens crossing the English Channel on Sunday morning.

On the same day, the coastguard said 54 people had been rescued from one boat and 29 from another. They were taken to the port of Calais, where they were met by emergency services, according to the translation of a statement from the Prefecture maritime de la Manche et de la mer du Nord.

A group of people thought to be migrants being brought to Dover, Kent, on a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel

One person, who was unwell, was given medical attention, the coastguard added.

It comes after the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said 26 migrants in a small boat crossed the Channel to reach the UK on Saturday.

Dozens of migrants crossed the English Channel on Sunday bringing the number who have made the journey in the first month of this year above 1,000 – as at least 991 people have been confirmed to have made the perilous journey. 

Around 50 men, women and children were brought into Dover earlier Sunday by the UK Border Force after attempting to make the crossing.

Dozens of migrants are seen being brought into Dover, Kent, by Border Force officials on Sunday morning

With only a few days of January left to go, at least 991 people were confirmed to have made the perilous journey to reach the southern shores of Great Britain.

This means crossings are broadly keeping pace with this time last year, which saw 1,341 people enter the UK via this route in January 2022.

Photos taken at the Port of Dover Sunday morning show Border Force officials helping migrants wearing life jackets and wrapped in towels onto land.

They were brought in by Border Force vessel Typhoon after being found on small boats in the Channel.

So far this year there have only been a few days where migrants have crossed the Channel, with most being brought in on January 22, and January 25 – on these days 442 and 373 people, respectively, were brought into Dover.

At least 1,000 are known to have crossed the Channel so far this year – compared to 1,341 who arrived during the entirety of last January. Last year saw a record 45,728 migrants cross the channel well up on the 28,381 who did so in 2021.

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